Stopping abusive behavior at St.Patrick's Parades can be done -- New York and Chicago parades point the way forward

Drinking and the St.Patrick's Day parade go hand in hand, whether we like to acknowledge that or not.

In the past few days, the Hoboken parade, one of the largest in New Jersey, has been canceled while the South Side St.Patrick's Parade in Chicago is being held again after an absence of a couple of years

In both parades, the abuse of alcohol was a major issue.

However, how that alcohol use is managed and controlled by both parade organizers and law enforcement is critical.

Clearly, the Hoboken parade and its aftermath had grown out of control. There were 34 lawless incidents and two alleged rapes last year. That is simply not good enough.

Hoboken suffered from its proximity to Manhattan as thousands of revellers took the opportunity to cross the river and have their first spring break.________________